Message from the Chair - December 2025
CHEE alumni in front of a distillation column in the unit operations lab. Left to right: Susan Frondorf, George Frondorf, Newton Don, Marylyn Schumann Tobey, Gene Tobey, Greg Ogden.
Dear alumni and friends,
I hope all is well and you enjoy being with family and friends during the holidays! We're at the midpoint of the academic year, and CHEE continues to make incredible strides in student training, research and community outreach.
Reconnecting at Homecoming
It was great to see so many alumni and friends at the College of Engineering Homecoming festivities, including the 62nd Engineer's Breakfast and the Engineering Tailgate.
Thank you to all those who joined me for department updates and a walk down memory lane through the unit operations lab. Quite a bit has changed in the department over the years, but at our core, we're still guided by the same mission to provide the best engineering education possible to ensure our graduates succeed and make a difference in the world.
Miguel Astorga and Rohini Ghosh
Research engenders student success
CHEE offers students ample opportunities to conduct real, hands-on research. Recently, two students walked away with wins at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) conference in Boston in the environmental science and engineering division.
Miguel Astorga, a senior in chemical engineering, won first place for his study of organic contaminants that enter the environment from microplastics produced from tire wear. The work could pioneer the development of water treatment processes that protect human health.
Thanks to the confidence he's gained through research, Astorga plans to pursue an MS and PhD in chemical engineering.
And chemical engineering senior Rohini Ghosh won third place for her work developing a rapid and portable sensor to detect aflatoxin B1, a common contaminant in foods, using novel functional polymers.
Alumni support changes lives
Ghosh was the recipient of a 2024 CHEE Alumni Undergraduate Research Fund award for her project investigating the impact of PFAs – chemicals that are linked to a range of health problems. The experience paved the way for her success at AIChE and her decision to pursue a PhD.
Five students have been named fund scholars for the 2025-2026 academic year and will receive $2,500 each for their research under the guidance of a faculty member. Stay tuned to hear about their topics and results in the new year.
If you'd like to support this transformative program, please make a gift to the CHEE Alumni Undergraduate Research Fund.
2025 Distinguished Department Head Award
Lastly, I am honored to have received the 2025 Distinguished Department Head Award. The accolade is part of the U of A's Luminaries Outstanding Faculty Awards, recognizing faculty who are working to better the human condition by shaping the future of science, arts, discovery and education. Being nominated by my CHEE colleagues means so much to me. We are a close-knit department, and this award reflects the camaraderie and impressive work we accomplish together.
Please have a safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to connecting with you again in the new year.
Warm regards,
Kimberly Ogden
Professor and Department Chair
Chemical & Environmental Engineering